St. Mary's Church

Happy Advent! I am grateful for the gift of this season to prepare our hearts for Christmas. Along with Lent, Advent is one of two 'penitential' seasons of the Church. While sometimes thought of as a punishment, penance is actually a commitment to bring ourselves back into alignment and right relationship with God. In order to celebrate Christmas well, I want to encourage all of our parish families to find simple but meaningful ways of doing penance this Advent as an grateful offering to God for all that He has done for you.

 This Sunday of the last week of Ordinary Time celebrates Christ the King of the Universe. The crowning completion of this liturgical year coincides with the humble beginning of our King with the new liturgical year we celebrate next week with Advent.

Our readings this week and next weekend turn apocalyptic since we're approaching the end of our liturgical year. A new liturgical year will begin in two weeks with Advent. As we approach that new beginning, it's important to 'end' our time well. With that in mind, I'd like to offer reflections this week and next on how the 'apocalypse' relates our end to our new beginning.